CHAPTER 131: A WALK THROUGH.

The day of midterm break always felt busy at Arcadia Academy.

The corridors, normally filled with laughter, footsteps, and the constant shuffle of books, seemed strangely subdued. It wasn’t silent—far from it—but the air carried a strange mix of excitement and melancholy, like the last day of a long festival.

Students hurried past in every direction, their arms loaded with satchels bursting with clothes, snacks, and trinkets to take home.

Some carried wrapped boxes or small bundles gifts for family. Others laughed and leaned close together, whispering about holiday plans: trips to cities, reunions with friends, secret adventures.

Here and there, groups gathered near doorways or under windows, exchanging invitations for visits over the break.

Promises were made—"I’ll write to you!" and some "Don’t forget the party!"—before they scattered off to pack the last of their things.

Kael walked among them, but he might as well have been a shadow.

No one called his name. No one stopped him to ask about his plans.

He had none.

No letters from anyone. No warm hearth to return to. No gatherings, no shared meals, no place where someone was waiting for him. Just the same quiet he’d always known.

And that was fine. Or at least, that was what he told himself.

But today was... different.

Because Cecelia had asked to meet him.

An hour later.

Arcadia’s East Gate rose ahead like a grand sentinel of stone and iron. Its twin doors, each built from thick black metal and bound with broad riveted bands, stood wide open, revealing the long road that stretched toward Elaris City.

sunlight spilled over the gate, catching on the hinges and bolts so they gleamed like polished silver.

On either side, two tall watchtowers loomed—ancient stone structures wrapped in climbing vines.

Their leaves shifted and whispered in the soft wind, scattering dappled shadows over the weathered walls.

From their heights, a pair of guards stood watch, their spears glinting faintly in the light. The towers’ long, sharp shadows stretched over the cobbled ground, reaching toward Kael like dark fingers across the morning path.

Kael had arrived before the agreed time. His coat hung comfortably on his frame, hands buried deep in its pockets.

A cool breeze slipped through the open gates, stirring the hem of his coat and ruffling his hair.

He leaned casually against the sun-warmed outer wall, his gaze moving without hurry over the flow of people heading out.

Students poured through the gates in small clusters. Some walked arm in arm, their bright laughter bouncing between the stone walls.

Others moved quickly, speaking in hushed, urgent tones, their eyes flicking toward the armored guards as if wary of being overheard.

A vendor’s stall just beyond the gate filled the air with the scent of freshly baked bread, warm and inviting. Beneath it lingered the sharper, dusty smell of the road beyond—a reminder of the long journey most were about to take.

Then, from the steady rhythm of the crowd, one figure drew his attention.

Cecelia moved with a quiet, measured grace, as though she had no reason to rush. She wore a pale lavender cloak that shimmered faintly whenever the light touched it.

At her throat, a silver brooch shaped like a blooming lily held the cloak in place, its polished surface catching the sun.

Beneath the cloak, the cream-colored hem of her dress brushed gently against her boots, swaying with each step.

Her hair, a soft golden hue like ripened wheat, was loosely tied with a ribbon, though the wind teased several strands free to frame her face.

Her eyes found him easily, and a warm, unforced smile spread across her lips.

"You’re early," she said, her tone light, carrying a thread of amusement.

"So are you," Kael replied, pushing himself off the wall to stand straighter. There was a subtle shift in his voice—less guarded, more at ease. "Ready?"

Cecelia tilted her head slightly, the corners of her mouth still curved in that gentle smile. "Mm," she murmured in quiet agreement, her voice soft yet certain. "Let’s go."

Without another word, they stepped through the East Gate together, the road to Elaris stretching ahead.

Elaris City

They passed beneath the shadow of the East Gate, the cool shade giving way to the gentle warmth of the morning sun as they moved through the busy terminal.

Porters in brown vests heaved crates onto wagons, merchants called out in clipped voices to attract last-minute buyers, and travelers—some in dusty cloaks from long journeys, others in fine coats freshly brushed—moved in and out like the tide.

Beyond the terminal, the road curved downhill in a slow, graceful slope, each stone in the pavement worn smooth by years of cart wheels and countless footsteps.

From where Kael and Cecelia stood, the eastern district of Elaris sprawled outward in a wide, colorful expanse.

The city seemed to breathe. Narrow cobblestone lanes branched away like veins between tall, timber-framed buildings whose upper floors leaned out just enough to shade the street below.

Shopfronts pressed shoulder to shoulder, their painted signs swinging gently in the breeze.

Crimson and gold awnings shaded stalls spilling with fragrant spices; soft blue canopies fluttered above neat bolts of fabric; striped tents shielded tables piled with honey jars, candied fruit, and bread still warm from the oven.

The air carried a tapestry of scents, the nutty warmth of roasted chestnuts from a vendor turning them over hot coals, the rich, comforting smell of fresh bread cooling on wooden racks, the sharper tang of leather and oiled metal drifting from a stable tucked near a side street and barely there but unmistakable, the sweet perfume of lilies from a florist’s cart.

Somewhere down the main avenue, a bard leaned against a low wall, plucking his lute with lazy precision.

His tune wandered over the crowd like a drifting ribbon, weaving between bursts of laughter, the creak of wagon wheels, and the steady rhythm of hooves on stone.

Kael and Cecelia walked side by side, blending into the crowd without hurry. The shifting press of people made the street feel alive—children darted past carrying small paper kites, their laughter shrill and bright; a pair of older women haggled animatedly over the price of apples; and the occasional rider passed slowly, their horses’ breath steaming faintly in the cool air.

Every so often, Cecelia’s gaze caught on something—bright oranges stacked in pyramids by a fruit seller, the patterned scarves swaying like banners in the wind, a boy balancing a tray of pastries with precarious care.